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Family Handyman published a checklist of home, yard and vehicle preparations to complete before the first frost. The advice covers water systems, exposed pipes, gutters, windows, roofs, heating equipment, cars and lawn tools; the source does not provide a publication date or a specific forecast for an upcoming frost.
Family Handyman has published a first-frost checklist advising homeowners to prepare plumbing, gutters, roofs, heating systems, vehicles and yard equipment before temperatures fall below freezing. The guidance, drawing on comments from home-improvement and plumbing experts, is aimed at reducing risks such as frozen pipes, water damage and equipment that may not work when needed.
The checklist recommends clearing leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts, checking them for leaks and directing downspouts at least 10 feet from the house. Remodeling expert Michael DiMartino cautions against cleaning gutters too early, before nearby trees have finished dropping leaves. The article also advises disconnecting and draining garden hoses, shutting off and draining sprinkler systems, and covering outdoor faucets that are not frost-free.
For plumbing, the report suggests insulating pipes in unheated spaces such as garages, crawl spaces, basements and attics. Plumber Tim Fancher recommends sealing gaps near doors, windows, foundations and pipe entries, and knowing where the main water shutoff is in case a pipe breaks. The checklist also calls for checking window seals and weather stripping, visually inspecting the roof for damage, and looking for moisture in the attic or living areas.
Other preparations include arranging an annual professional HVAC inspection, checking chimneys for debris before using a furnace or fireplace, and testing a car’s battery, tires and wipers. For lawn equipment, the article says to drain fuel or use a stabilizer before storage; Todd Tripp recommends running gas-powered equipment until its fuel is used up. The supplied source excerpt ends during its advice for electric equipment, so it does not give the full battery-storage instructions.
Several checklist items address problems that can become costly once water freezes. Water left in hoses, sprinklers or vulnerable pipes can expand as it freezes, while a damaged pipe may leak after temperatures rise. Directing roof and gutter runoff away from the house is intended to reduce water pooling near the foundation during freeze-thaw conditions.
The advice also addresses household readiness. A heating-system failure during cold weather can leave a home without heat, while a neglected car battery may struggle to start in low temperatures. These are preventive recommendations, not a guarantee against damage: the article does not quantify how much money or risk any one step may save.
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Tasks to Complete Before Freezing
The report frames the checklist as seasonal preparation rather than a response to a particular storm or frost forecast. Its author recalls past problems after failing to prepare, including burst hoses, broken tree limbs and cars that would not start; those are personal experiences, not data on how often such failures occur.
The recommendations range from simple checks, such as disconnecting hoses, to work that may require professional judgment. The source attributes advice to experts including Tripp, DiMartino, Fancher and home-improvement expert Eric Goranson. It advises homeowners to hire a professional for an annual HVAC inspection, but does not provide a region-specific schedule or tailored guidance for different types of homes and equipment.
“If you want to save money and protect your pocket book, then jump on the winterization of your home and yard.”
— Todd Tripp, home-improvement expert, as quoted by Family Handyman
Local Frost Dates Remain Unknown
The source material does not state when or where the checklist was published, identify a local first-frost date, or say that a specific frost is forecast. Frost timing varies by location, so readers cannot use this report alone to determine their deadline. The excerpt also cuts off in the section on electric lawn equipment and does not specify how those batteries should be stored. It provides general preparation advice, not an inspection of any particular home, roof, vehicle or heating system.
Check Forecasts and Finish Preparations
Homeowners can use the list as a prompt to inspect their property and equipment ahead of locally forecast freezing temperatures. The report recommends annual professional HVAC service and calls for checking roofs, plumbing and other vulnerable areas before the cold sets in. Readers should follow equipment manufacturers’ storage instructions and seek qualified help if they find roof damage, leaks or problems with heating systems. No follow-up announcement or specific forecast was included in the source material.
Key Questions
What should I do first before the first frost?
Start with exposed water systems: disconnect and drain garden hoses, shut off and drain sprinklers, and protect outdoor faucets that are not frost-free. The checklist also advises clearing gutters before freezing weather, while accounting for whether nearby trees are still shedding leaves.
How can I reduce the risk of frozen pipes?
The report recommends insulating pipes in unheated areas and sealing gaps near windows, doors, foundations and places where pipes enter the home. It also advises locating the main water shutoff so water can be stopped quickly if a pipe breaks.
Does the checklist say every outdoor air-conditioning unit must be covered?
No. Tripp says covering or wrapping the outside condenser is not completely necessary, but describes it as a good practice to protect it from frost.
How does the article recommend storing gas-powered lawn equipment?
It says to drain the fuel or use a fuel stabilizer before storage. Tripp recommends draining the fuel and running the equipment until it stops, but readers should follow their equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
Is a first frost forecast in the report?
No. The source provides a seasonal checklist but does not identify a location, date or specific frost forecast. Check local weather information for timing in your area.
Source: rss
